"Dan showed his flexibility throughout the season, switching between forward and back at different stages of the season. Defensively he had some breakout games, Western Bulldogs in Round 5 he had 8 spoils, 2 intercept marks & laid 4 tackles, and in Round 15 against Essendon he had similar numbers along with reducing Cale Hookers influence on the game. Both these games highlighted his courage and intensity for the contest and potential as an athletic defender."

In their own words:

“The coaches attitude and positivity has been a big thing and really given power to the players.

“And it is also the players’ attitude as well and our want to really improve.

“Something I have really been working hard on throughout my career is accepting the role that is best for the team.

“One of my strengths is being able to chop and change when the team needs me and the coaches thought they needed another tall target.

“The decision when to mark or spoil in defence is something I’m still working on and it was good to go forward and not have to worry about making that decision and to be able to just fly at it and try to take a mark.’’

- Dan McStay told the Courier Mail in June after signing with the Lions for another two years.